Level 1 nursing student....HELP!!!!

ser2011 · Feb 15, 2011

If you don't already have an NCLEX book, then buy one. Use the resources that come with your books. For some people it just takes a lot of practice. If you know that you are missing 'best action' questions, then be sure to concentrate on them. Don't forget your ABC's (airway, breathing, circulation)!

bri2012 · Feb 16, 2011

Thanks! Should I get a specific kind? I heard Saunders was a good one

ProudRN2B · Feb 20, 2011

Saunders is a great book to have. I used my NCLEX books instead of the text. First semester is the hardest, it does get easier.

Things to consider when answering is the Nursing Process, Maslow's, ABC's and safest, least invasive first.

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Feb 21, 2011

I used Pearson exam cram all through school, exams were NCLEX style so it killed two birds one stone, I also found during my 2nd semester that if I studied a little less I actually did better, with studying, it's not about quantity but about quality, there is something about the study style you are employing now that isn't quite working, the trick is to figure out what and fix it. I am a very tactile person, because of this book learning was trickier, with the book I had a CD for practice questions, I would type my notes (I could type as fast as the instructor could talk so my classmates were more than happy to put up with my clicking away in the back so they could compare notes for what they might have missed lol) and writing I would use multiple colors, more than once an answer would stand out in my brain because of the color ink, I know sounds weird but it worked lol Good Luck!

CarinaBallerina · Feb 22, 2011

What I do is try to break the "best answer" questions down. What are things that can be life threatening? (Think Airway, Breathing, Circulation - ABCs!) If there is one of those, that's the "best" thing to do first because it's the most important. Things like get a blanket, turn off the lights, get a snack for the patient are pretty much ones that you can eliminate, unless ALL the options are like that, in which case you need to look at what's going on with the patient.

You want to focus on what's most important - ABCs, level of consiousness. Is this a new patient? Have they been assessed? You need a baseline of vitals, once ABCs have been assessed.

bri2012 · Mar 5, 2011

Thank u guys so much! I have a test on Monday

Wish me luck!! :yeah: :yeah:

PinkNBlue, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2011

Good luck!

tammysmithlvn · Mar 5, 2011

bri2012.... I am an presently in an LVN to RN program, graduating in May (BOY that souds GOOD!!). What was suggested to me by my Instructor really helped me so much, and actually brought my grade up a whole letter grade!!! I too am using the Saunders book. BUT what really helped me was "Concept Maps" for each lecture. I take the power point and lecture notes- and I then compose a map with anatomy, tables, etc then draw arrows that link it all together. During my exam, I can actually picture concepts and info in my mind. I use a large drawing tablet ( about the size of poster board) for each system. I then fold it up, slip it in with my ppt and it's there for me to use... ready for a review for Finals. I hope this idea helps!!!

Try google for examples of concept maps =)

Tonya75 · Mar 5, 2011

I think the hardes part for most of us is switching from memorizing to analyzing. When I do my reading I try to envision patient scenarios involving each thing, and it helps. Also, on the test, I look for the main part of the question first and then read all of the patient info. It's easier to rule things out when you have figured out what problem you are really trying to solve(all of the extras can be very distracting). Sometimes it also helps to read the NCLEX questions at the end before you do the reading too, that way it helps to give the reading a focus and makes it easier to remember. Hope that helps-good luck!